All about Victoria Sullivan

From a young age, Victoria Sullivan showed her entrepreneurial spirit. Starting her first business at age 8, she began selling travel-sized hotel shampoo bottles from her father's business trips. While her only customers were her immediate family members, she learned that creating a unique experience for people is a worthwhile goal she planned to chase. Now a junior accounting student at University of Massachusetts Amherst, Victoria continues to show her drive and creativity to create a unique experience for people.

As a student at UMass Amherst, Victoria takes on a wide range of leadership roles while also excelling in her academic work. She is the vice president of the honor society Phi Kappa Phi, takes on various responsibilities in her sorority, and still makes time for teammates as captain on multiple intramural sports teams. Victoria continues to set herself apart from the typical accounting student and wants to use her skills to one day begin her own start-up.

Victoria fully embodies what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. She has ambitious plans for the future and knows that while it may be hard, she will continue to work hard and never let her dreams fade. She embodies all the values we hold at Adore Me, which is why she’s our chosen recipient for the first ever Adore Me Scholarship. Congratulations to Victoria Sullivan, the Spring 2017 Adore Me Scholarship Winner!

What inspires and motivates you every day?

I am inspired daily by the people around me. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I am surrounded by the most hard working and genuinely intelligent friends I could ask for. We all have our own interests and passions, and when we come together, I am always inspired by their successes and determination. I am lucky to have friends and family who support me and motivate me to want to make a difference every day.

Where did your passion for philanthropy come from?

My passion for philanthropy originally came from my family and more specifically, my older brother, Alex. When I was young, he would take me to the local Salvation Army to pack food boxes for the homeless. I had never understood the impact I could make as an individual until I did hands-on work, and it is this understanding that motivates me to continue to try to make a difference, no matter how small.

How do you overcome obstacles?

My mother always told me to let my failures fuel my successes. A failure is not in itself a failure if it ultimately motivates you to work harder and succeed. I always make sure to learn from my mistakes and work through obstacles with diligence and positivity. Half the battle of overcoming obstacles is having the courage to continue and not being frightened off by the ominous battles ahead.

In 40 years, what do you want to be remembered for?

In 40 years I hope to be remembered for doing something meaningful; I want people to think of me and remember how I made them feel. If my work could one day inspire somebody to work hard and encourage them to aim high, then I think that is the greatest achievement that I could ask for.

If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with anyone it would be Sheryl Sandberg, the current COO of Facebook. Her “Lean In” series have motivated me to better myself and aim higher. In a corporate world dominated by men, it is about time that women take the leadership positions that are rightfully theirs. Sandberg’s tremendous success and influence are inspiration to women everywhere who want to make a difference. Discussing the future of women in the workforce and developing a long-term strategy for equality with Sandberg would be a momentous opportunity.